The Womble Carlyle Economic Development Digest - September 30, 2014

Womble Carlyle’s Economic Development Digest aggregates news, opportunities and legislation impacting business in the United States. In this week's Economic Development Digest:

California Bay area refineries embarking on ambitious projects to transform how they do business, Mercury News (September 24, 2014) In California, some refineries are reforming how they do business. California BOE adopts sales tax reg on partial exemption for manufacturing, R&D equipment, TaxAnalysts.com (September 26, 2014)** The California State Board of Equalization has adopted a sales and use tax regulation addressing the partial exemption enacted by 2013 AB 93 2013 STT 135-8: Final State Legislation for manufacturing and research and development equipment to provide definitions, explain when the partial exemption applies, and provide the partial exemption certificate. California releases reference guide for California Competes Tax Credit Applicants Citations: California Competes Tax Credit Application Guide, TaxAnalysts.com (September 25, 2014)** The California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development has released a revised reference guide for applicants to the California Competes Tax Credit program. Florida A primer on the proposed amendments, Citrus County Chronicle Online (September 20, 2014) Florida voters in November will have three amendments to the Florida Constitution for voters to consider. One of the amendments, the Water and Land Conservation Initiative, dedicates funds to acquire and restore Florida conservation and recreation lands, requiring 33 percent of the net revenue collected from the documentary stamp tax over the next 20 years to go toward the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Nevada Nevada governor enacts Tesla tax break package, The Associated Press (September 15, 2014) Nevada enacts legislation to benefit Tesla Motors’ $5 billion factory. Nevada is about to pass the biggest corporate tax giveaway in its history, The Washington Post (September 10, 2014) Property and sales tax breaks to lure Tesla to Nevada are said to exceed $1 billion (for the $5 billion project). North Carolina Film studio head calls for election turnout after NC incentives change, News & Observer (September 23, 2014) North Carolina Governor McCrory did not bring the legislature back to address economic development issues, including incentives designed to attract and retain the North Carolina film industry. South Carolina Where some see "smart growth," other see U.N. plot, The Post & Courier (September 28, 2014) In Charleston, South Carolina, builders and planners see combining high-density housing, retail and offices as gaining popularity, while locals express concerns over the quality of schools, transportation issues and lack of parking. Texas Patrick touts pro-business record in rare public appearance, The Houston Chronicle (September 19, 2014) Candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Texas promotes his pro-industry track record in the legislature as a focus of his campaign. Virginia State transportation official explains new prioritization rules, Charlottesville Tomorrow (September 25, 2014) Virginia is changing the way transportation projects will receive funding. Public forum to be held Tuesday night on revised 6-year roads plan, The News & Advance (September 22, 2014) The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board hosts an open house and public forum soliciting feedback on Virginia’s six-year plan to prioritize Virginia’s transportation projects. **Note: a paid subscription is required to access this article. A brief description has been provided. Please contact Womble Carlyle’s Economic Development Team for more information on these developments. Womble Carlyle's Economic Development Team helps clients explore opportunities for locating or expanding operations in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Our Economic Development Team combines a thorough working knowledge of economic development incentives; land use and siting procedures; and regulatory matters at the state, county and local levels, drawing on strong relationships built over many years with key governmental and civic leaders. For more information visit www.wcsr.com/Practices/Economic-Development.   If you have any questions about this Economic Development Digest, please e-mail EconDigest@wcsr.com or contact any member of Womble Carlyle's Economic Development Team.   Contacts North Carolina Charlotte Raleigh Research Triangle Park Winston-Salem John Hunter 704.331.4951 JHunter@wcsr.com Don Donadio 919.755.2102 DDonadio@wcsr.com Neill Edwards 919.484.2357 NEdwards@wcsr.com Alfred Adams 336.721.3642 AAdams@wcsr.com Chris Kouri 704.331.4987 CKouri@wcsr.com Nellie Shipley 919.755.2107 NShipley@wcsr.com       South Carolina Charleston Columbia Greenville Morris Ellison 843.720.4614 MEllison@wcsr.com Todd Carroll 803.454.7730 Todd.Carroll@wcsr.com Larry Estridge 864-255-5401 LEstridge@wcsr.com Foster Gaillard 843.720.4610 FGaillard@wcsr.com Kevin Hall 803.454.7710 Kevin.Hall@wcsr.com Keith Munson 864-255-5412 KMunson@wcsr.com Stephanie Yarbrough 843.720.4621 StYarbrough@wcsr.com     Georgia Atlanta     Steven Dunlevie 404.888.7401 SDunlevie@wcsr.com